A small group of people with NAFLD may have a more serious condition named non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In NASH, fat accumulation is associated with liver cell inflammation and different degrees of scarring. NASH is a potentially serious condition that may lead to severe liver scarring and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis occurs when the liver sustains substantial damage, and the liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue which results in the inability of the liver to work properly. Some patients who develop cirrhosis may eventually require a liver transplant (surgery to remove the damaged liver and replace it with a “new” liver), according to The American College of Gastroenterology.

This recent article by Kristin Kirkpatrick, TODAY Contributor, stands out because it provides a good overview of NAFLD, its risk factors and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Here’s a summary of the article’s highlights:

1. “There’s no pill yet to stop it and left untreated, it can develop into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the leading liver disease in the world and on track to become the leading cause of liver transplants.”

2. “NAFLD is not tied to alcohol, but primarily to obesity, inactivity and poor lifestyle choices. The early stages are quite treatable and reversible. However, once your liver gets too damaged, it becomes a more dire condition.”

3. “This disease does not blow through your system like a hurricane, rather it grows like a tree. Therefore, age is an important factor in how likely you are to have it progress. That’s why the condition is so concerning in overweight and obese children who have many years to “grow” the tree with a steady diet of sugar and processed food coupled with inactivity.The longer you have the condition, the more likely it is you may need to be put on a liver transplant list.”  Read full article

Source: 

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a global epidemic: Are you at risk?, Today.com

Related Media Coverage

Study shows how a carb-restricted diet battles fatty liver disease, Medical Xpress

How to Prevent Fatty Liver Disease, Care2.com

Related Resources

ACG Patient Information on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

ACG Practice Guideline: Evaluation of Abnormal Liver Chemistries

Non-alcoholic liver disease and NASH, NIDDK/NIH

Fatty Liver Disease, Medline Plus

The Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Practice Guidance From the American Association for the Study ofLiver Diseases, The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases